Styles came in to help Henrietta get ready for bed.
“You must have had a very good dinner with her grace,” Styles commented as she took down Henrietta’s hair.
“I had a wonderful time.” She wanted to tell her maid, but would wait until after her sister knew. That was only right. Yet she was so happy she still could not stop smiling!
Once her hair was braided, she crawled under the covers. She did not think she would be able to sleep, but Morpheus must have had his way, because the next morning she woke fully refreshed. Henrietta threw her legs over the bed and rushed to the window. The sun was barely coloring the antelucan sky.
Just as she’d finished splashing water on her face and brushing her teeth, Styles entered with a cup of tea and a piece of toast. Henrietta hurried through her food and drink as her maid put up her hair and affixed a small hat with a feather on it.
“It looks like a fine day for a ride, Miss Henrietta.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” The smile was back on her face. In a few minutes she would see Nate again. And she must speak with her sister. “Can you find out what my sister’s schedule is today?”
“Of course,” Styles said.
Dorie and Georgie were almost to Merton House as Henrietta mounted her horse. She would be glad when Nate could meet her here. No. She would be happy when she was leaving from his—their—house.
“You are very cheerful this morning,” Georgie commented. She threw a glance at Dorie. “More so than poor Dorie.”
Now that Henrietta’s attention was drawn to her friend, she noticed the dark smudges under her eyes. “Did the baby keep you up?”
“He did. It would not have been so bad, but every time I put him down, he cried. No one else could comfort him. He is finally sleeping.”
“What was the problem?” Henrietta supposed she would also go through the same thing someday. In fact she knew she would. She was old enough to remember her younger sister’s birth and infancy.
“Flatulence.” Dorie wrinkled her nose as Georgie and Henrietta tried not to laugh. “When it finally expelled it was quite smelly. Nurse says it happens sometimes.”
“Oh, dear. Poor David.” Henrietta remembered something like that happening with either her younger brother or sister.
“Good morning.” Nate greeted them with a smile that matched her own. Even Padraig appeared happy.
“Good morning to you.” She moved to ride next to him. “It looks to be a glorious day.”
“I take it that the matter of whom to ask was solved?” Georgie asked.
“It was.” Henrietta and Nate answered at the same time. “I wonder how often we will do that in the future.”
“A great deal, I expect,” he responded.
“We want the whole story,” Dorie said. “It will take my mind off my sleepless night.”
They were through the gate to the Park by the time Henrietta finished the tale. “I spoke with Merton last night.” She turned to look at Nate. “He is happy to do the settlement agreements.” Then she glanced back at her friends. “I will speak with my sister today.”
They moved their horses into a trot, the dog keeping pace with them. “We will meet you at the elm tree.” Dorie and Georgie waved, and Henrietta and Nate galloped down their regular path.
When they pulled up he sidled his horse closer to hers, put his arm around her shoulders, and kissed her quickly, before the horses pulled apart. “I love you. This morning I thought that soon we will both leave from our house.”
“I thought that as well.” She was positive she had never been happier, and prayed nothing would ruin it. Then she remembered her sister. For some reason that made her think of his mother. “Will your mother live with us?”
“No. She has stated often enough that she will move to the Dower House when I marry. She has always maintained that a house can only have one mistress. I believe she has already changed it to her liking.” He chuckled. “No wonder she wanted me to come to Town this year.”
“I’m glad you did.” What would have happened if she had not met him?
“I am too. I’m even happier that we met when neither of us knew who the other was.” His voice had dipped lower at that last part.
“Indeed. I had already formed a good opinion of you.” She could not seem to stop looking at him.
“And I you.” He was keeping all his attention on her as well.
“The two of you look besotted.” Georgie laughed. “I am so happy for both of you.”
“As am I.” Dorie rubbed her eyes. “Unfortunately, I should go home and try to rest. I really am too tired.”
“There will be tomorrow.” Henrietta was ready to go home and think about what she would say to her sister.
“I gather little David kept you awake last night.” Nate gave her a sympathetic look. “My sisters have complained about the same thing.”
“I hope it does not happen on a regular basis,” Dorie muttered acerbically. “I have discovered I like my sleep.”
“You should have Exeter speak with him about keeping his mother up.” Nate sounded serious, but his turquoise eyes were alight with laughter.
Georgie started to laugh. “Henrietta, you were not there when Littleton spoke to the babies before they were born, chastising them for keeping Adeline up.”
“That must have been funny.” Henrietta did remember thinking that Adeline was quite large to have only been a few months pregnant at the time. Now that she thought about it, Grace Worthington was large as well. Could Dotty be carrying twins? Perhaps she should mention it.
Dorie and Georgie turned on to Park Street. Henrietta would have asked for a groom, or gone with them, if Nate had not started accompanying them. But it was only another street up to Grosvenor Square, and now that they were betrothed, she did not need a groom with them. The thought stopped her. If Dotty or Merton had known, they would have insisted she bring a groom. There was no point saying it was only one street. They would both point out that anything could happen even in that short distance.
“Henrietta, you’re deep in thought. Is there something on your mind?” Nate looked as serious as he sounded.
“Not really.” Should she tell him? She did not want to keep secrets. “It just occurred to me that when I did not accompany my friends to Green Street, I suppose I should have had a groom.”
“You should have.” Only because they could not yet make their betrothal known, Nate thought. “I didn’t even consider the matter.” He’d have to bring a groom tomorrow morning, and for the next day or two, until news of their betrothal got around. “I plan to send my secretary back to Ouse Tower to fetch the collection of wedding rings.” There was one in particular he thought she would like. “Unless you wish to select a new one, that is.”
Her frown disappeared and her lips tipped up. “I would love to look at the family rings first.”
“Excellent. I’ll send Chetwin today.” Perhaps by the time the secretary returned, Henrietta could dine with Nate and his mother after she selected her ring.
She had captured his gaze, and he couldn’t have looked away if he’d wanted to. “I am looking forward to not only that, but us being married, and our wedding trip.”